Ming Dynasty Version Nest Character Sketches 3000 Methods

Author: Lai Xinxia
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-06-01
Features: China is a country with a profound cultural heritage, and there are a large number of ancient books. However, with the passage of time, some books have gradually become lost and are difficult to find. Others have become increasingly rare and are not accessible to the general public, leading to a situation where valuable treasures are hidden away and fail to circulate. This contradiction has long been a concern for the knowledgeable individuals who care about the preservation of ancient books and the transmission of traditional culture.
Recently, the relevant authorities of the state recognized this issue and invested heavily to establish the "National Reconstruction of Fine Books Project," entrusting the National Library to recreate rare books that were once admired but inaccessible. The results have been excellent. This approach not only reduces the usage of rare books, preserving and protecting them from damage, but also allows readers across the country to appreciate their appearance and content, achieving a win-win situation. It is indeed a meritorious act for the promotion of culture. This has prompted me to think more deeply: if more collectors and publishers could organize the reprinting of ancient books that are beloved by a broader audience, wouldn’t that be even better?
I have considered this issue and planned to implement a small-scale "reconstruction project," selecting some ancient books that are close to daily life and the general public. These books would be published in sets, retaining their original appearance while also adding new elements, to shine more light on Chinese culture.
Coincidentally, the deputy editor-in-chief of Tianjin People’s Fine Arts Publishing visited and discussed their plan to publish a new series titled "Old Materials Books," building on the foundation of their previously published "Old Materials Series." They warmly invited me to serve as the chief editor of this series. Given my agreement with this idea and the fact that the deputy editor-in-chief is a graduate of Nankai University, both out of principle and sentiment, I accepted the invitation and discussed the process with them.
Although this series, due to the challenges in collecting materials, may not form a thematic collection, it still holds significant value for reprinting. First, from the perspective of art appreciation, the selected original texts are mostly valuable works of art, such as the portraits by Qiu Ying and Gai Qi, who were renowned for their figure paintings during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Both painting technique books are worth studying for those aspiring to a career in art.
Second, the selected books are works that the public enjoys, but due to their rarity and high original prices, they are not easily accessible for borrowing or purchasing. This makes the project more (closer to the people) than the state’s "National Reconstruction of Fine Books Project," with lower prices that are more affordable, thus serving to popularize traditional culture.
Third, some of the collected books are beneficial for academic research. For example, "Portraits of Qing Scholars" provides visual materials for the study of Qing history, while "Illustrated Compendium of the Dream of the Red Chamber" can serve as both a reference for "Redology" research and a guide for readers of the book, deepening their understanding of the complex characters. As for the two books on painting techniques, they are suitable for beginners in art and for those who wish to imitate classic styles, while also enhancing the appreciation of traditional Chinese painting techniques for general readers.
—Editor (Preface)